May is a month for graduations! Many students are celebrating their commencement from high schools, colleges, trade schools, and more. Congratulations to all of these on achieving this significant level of accomplishment and for moving on to the next chapters in life.
Although the word graduation itself has come to indicate a specific celebratory event, the original meaning of the word implied progression. It meant not a onetime ceremony, but another step on a measured journey that includes previous steps as well as those yet to be climbed.
The word commencement is also often used for these events and once again it is a term for beginning rather than ending. The completion of each stage of education is significant and deserves to be celebrated, but all with the understanding that there is more to come.
As an amateur poet, I’m reminded of sanctification which rhymes with graduation. This word has fallen into disfavor these days but is an important spiritual process not much different from the educational one of progressing through, or graduating from, various levels.
For me, the simplest definition of sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus. As Christians, this should be our ultimate goal and one toward which we should strive daily. It involves spiritual discipline, intentionality, Scripture, prayer, the church, mentors, and many other factors.
Becoming a Christian is a onetime event, but becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. Although we are saved the moment we trust Jesus, reflecting Him in our thoughts, actions, and attitudes requires a lifetime of effort and attention. We should not just live. We should live and grow.
Sanctification is the process of daily and consistent growth that leads to a holy life. It is facilitated by the Holy Spirit as well as God’s Holy Word. We, however, must submit ourselves to these powerful forces and allow ourselves to be developed, or sanctified, by them.
After graduating with my degree in Education, I started my career as an Agricultural Instructor at Culpeper Jr. High School. I was, at that moment, a teacher. But not a very good one. As I continued to teach over the next several years, I became a better teacher.
Thanks to the mentoring of other instructors, guidance from administrators, continuing education, and some hard knock lessons, my teaching skills improved from year to year. I was very blessed to learn from some of the best and I constantly strove to be more like them. When I left Central 17 years later, I had advanced in many ways and yet still had a long way to go.
Likewise when my children were born, I became a father immediately. But they would train me over the coming years to be a better one. When I started pastoring, I was a pastor right away, but I have learned so much since and am still learning every single day.
I say all of this to encourage our graduates to remember that their commencements are important milestones, but that there are also many miles yet to grow. The old adage of “never stop learning” certainly applies but it requires intentional effort and work. You may rest on your diploma for a day or two following the ceremony, but then it’s time to get moving again.
I also say this to encourage every Christian to keep growing as well. Whether you are a brand spanking new believer or have been in Jesus’ family for many decades, there’s always room for growth. Someone wisely observed, “The room for improvement is always the largest room in the house.”
As we congratulate all the spring graduates and celebrate with them, may they and we all be reminded of the importance of continued progress. May we remember that until we get to heaven, we still have some growing to do each day.
Blessings, George